Method and apparatus for microscopic imaging

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for facilitating a microscopic imaging of at least one anatomical structure can be provided. For example, with a spectrally-encoded confocal microscopy (SECM) system, it is possible to provide at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to the anatomical structure(s). In addition, a mobile device can be provided which can communicate with the SECM system. The mobile device can have a sensor arrangement, and with such sensor arrangement, it is possible to receive at least one second electro-magnetic radiation that is based on the first radiation(s) from at least one section of the SECM system. The mobile device can further include a computer arrangement, with which it is possible to display at least one portion of the anatomical structure(s) as a microscopic image based on the second radiation(s) received by the sensor arrangement.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application relates to and claims the benefit and priority from International Patent Application No. PCT/US2015/010474 filed Jan. 7, 2015, which claims the benefit and priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 61/924,790 filed on Jan. 8, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

GOVERNMENT SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION

This invention was made with Government support under Grant No. W81XWH-09-2-0001 awarded by the U.S. Army. The Government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to miroscopic imaging of tissues, and more particularly to exemplary methods and apparatus for imaging of the tissue using exemplary confocal microscopy techniques in conjunction with, e.g., mobile devices that can acquire, display, and store images, including smatrphones and tablets.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Confocal microscopy can image tissues at microscopic resolution. Using a detection aperture, confocal microscopy technique(s) can reject out-of-focus light, and provide a clear image of the tissue at an imaging depth up to several 100 μm below the tissue surface. Confocal microscopy technique(s) can have a high imaging resolution, which facilitates a visualization of cellular and sub-cellular features of the tissue in a similar manner to the morphologic features used during the histologic analysis of tissue. Confocal microscopy technique(s) have been used for imaging various human organs, including, e.g., skin, cervix, gastrointestialn tract organs, airway, and eye.

A typical confocal microscopy system can include a system console and an optical probe. The system console usually has a laser source, beam scanners, detector, data acquisition unit, display, and data storage unit. The size of the system console is large, and the price expensive. Conventionally, the confocal microscopy systems have been primarily used at specialty hospital settings in developed countries.

A clinical utility of confocal microscopy technique(s) can be increased if the system console can be made small, cost-effective and potable. Recently, mobile devices that can acquire, display, and store images have become popular, and widely used, including smart phones and tablets. Such exemplary mobile device typically has a light source (flash), detector (camera sensor), data acquisition unit, display, and data storage unit. The mobile device can be used as a system console for a confocal microscopy system, if additional optics can be provided to facilitate an optical-sectioning capability of confocal microscopy technique(s). The mobile device is generally significantly smaller and cheaper than the traditional confocal microscopy system console. The mobile device typically has a cellular network connection even in low and middle income countries, which makes it relatively easy to share the acquired images with the expert clinician who might be located remotely even in a different country.

Thus, there may be a need and benefit to provide methods, systems and devices that can conduct confocal microscopy of the tissue in conjunction with a mobile device that can acquire, display and/or store images.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

These and other similar objects can be achieved with exemplary methods and apparatus for imaging of the tissue using such exemplary confocal microscopy techniques in conjunction with, e.g., the described mobile devices, which can acquire, display, and store images, including, but not limited to smatrphones and tablets.

An area detector in the mobile device has relatively long exposure time compared to the point detector typically used in confocal microscopy system consol. In order to utilize the detector in the mobile device, confocal images can be obtained in a parallel manner, e.g., multiple pixels in the image can be imaged simultaneously. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to utilize an exemplary confocal microscopy technique procedure, which is termed spectrally encoded confocal microscopy (“SECM”), which is a high-speed confocal microscopy technology procedure, in conjunction with mobile and/or portable devices.

Thus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, apparatus and method for facilitating a microscopic imaging of at least one anatomical structure can be provided. For example, with a spectrally-encoded confocal microscopy (SECM) system, it is possible to provide at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to the anatomical structure(s). In addition, a mobile device can be provided which can communicate with the SECM system. The mobile device can have a sensor arrangement, and with such sensor arrangement, it is possible to receive at least one second electro-magnetic radiation that is based on the first radiation(s) from at least one section of the SECM system. The mobile device can further include a computer arrangement, with which it is possible to display at least one portion of the anatomical structure(s) as a microscopic image based on the second radiation(s) received by the sensor arrangement.

For example, the microscopic image can be a confocal image of the portion(s). The SECM system can include an optical arrangement which facilitates a motionless scan of the anatomical structure via the first electro-magnetic radiation(s). The SECM system can also include a relay optical arrangement which can facilitate a transmission of the second radiation(s) to the sensor arrangement. In addition, e.g., the SECM system can include an internal energy storage arrangement.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a waveguide arrangement can be provided between the SECM system and the anatomical structure(s). The waveguide arrangement can be configured to (i) forward the first electro-magnetic radiation(s) to the anatomical structure(s), and/or (ii) receive the second electro-magnetic radiation(s) from the anatomical structure(s). In yet another exemplary embodiment, first and second waveguide arrangements can be provided between the SECM system and the anatomical structure. For example, the first waveguide arrangement can be configured to forward the first electro-magnetic radiation to the anatomical structure(s). The second waveguide arrangement can be configured to receive the second electro-magnetic radiation(s) from the anatomical structure(s).

These and other objects, features and advantages of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures showing illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional spectrally encoded confocal microscopy system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a conventional scan-less spectrally encoded confocal microscopy system;

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of an imaging device/system/apparaus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3B-3E are exemplary images obtained of human skin obtained with the exemplary system according various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device/system/apparaus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure that includes additional relay optics;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device/system/apparaus according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure that utilizes an additional source arrangement that is included in an exemplary SECM module;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device/system/apparaus according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure that includes a waveguide between a tissue and the exemplary SECM module for an endoscopic application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device/system/apparaus according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure that includes an additional waveguide to provide an exemplary wide-field image of the tissue and to visualize a placement of an exemplary SECM waveguide relative to the tissue; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device/system/apparaus according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which is similar to the imaging device/system/apparaus of the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure that includes additional relay optics.

Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the subject disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a conventional embodiment of SECM system/apparatus/arrangement. For example, light or other electro-magnetic radiation provided from and via a fiber 110 can be collimated by a collimation lens 120. The collimated beam provided from the collimation lens 120 is diffracted by a grating 130. Each wavelength of the collimated light can be diffracted at a unique angle, and focused by an objective lens 140 on a distinctive location on a sample. Therefore, a line of the tissue can be imaged. The light or other electro-magnetic radiation coming back from the tissue can be collected by the fiber 110, and delivered to a detector (not shown). At the detector, the spectrum of the collected light and/or radiation can be analyzed, which produces a line image of at least one portion of the tissue. The SECM imaging optics can be scanned to obtain two-dimensional images.

A modified version of the exemplary SECM system is shown in FIG. 2. In this exemplary system, light from a broad band source 205 is focused into a slit through a collector 210, a filter 215, a polarizer 220, a polarized beam splitter (PBS) 255, and a condenser 260. The light passing through the slit aperture is collimated by a tube lens 270, and diffracted by a grating 275. The diffracted light is delivered to a specimen 295 through relay optics 280, a quarter-wave plate 285, and an objective lens 290. Since a slit aperture is used in this exemplary system, each wavelength is focused as a line centered at distinctive location on the specimen 295. Therefore, an area of the specimen 295 is illuminated. Light from the specimen 295 is focused on the slit.

Light after the slit aperture passes through the PBS 255, and diffracted by another grating 255. The diffracted light is focused on a CCD camera 225, e.g., via an analyzer 235 and an imaging lens 230. As in the specimen space, the diffracted light illuminates an area of the CCD camera 225. Confocal imaging is achieved by using the slit aperture for the illumination and the detection. In this exemplary system, two-dimensional images can be obtained without using any beam scanning devices.

FIG. 3A shows a schematic diagram of an imaging device/system/apparaus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, in this exemplary embodiment, light or other electro-magnetic radiation from a source 310 in a mobile device 205 can be focused by a focusing lens 325 on an illumination slit 330. The light or other electro-magnetic radiation from the illumination slit 330 can be reflected by a mirror 332, and collimated by a collimation lens (CL1). The collimated beam can be diffracted by a grating (Grating 1) 335, and can be focused by an objective lens (OL) on a tissue 355 or on at least one portion thereof. The light or other electro-magnetic radiation reflected from the tissue 355 can be received and/or captured by the objective lens (OL), and focused on another slit (detection slit) 345 though the grating (Grating 1) 335 and the collimation lens (CL1). The light or other electro-magnetic radiation provided following the detection slit 345 can be collimated by another collimation lens (CL2), and diffracted another grating (Grating 2) 340. The diffracted light or other electro-magnetic radiation can be focused on a sensor 315 by a camera lens 320. The source 310, the sensor 315, and the camera lens 320 can reside in the mobile device 305. Other components, e.g., including other than the source 310, the sensor 315, and the camera lens 320, as described herein above, can be packaged or included into a small module—e.g., a SECM module 350.

FIGS. 3B-E show exemplary images of human skin obtained using the exemplary systems according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which illustrate various features therein. In such exemplary embodiment of the exemplary system, a light emitting diode (LED; central wavelength=635 nm; bandwidth=40 nm; ouput power=170 mW) was used as the light source. Light from the LED was focused on an illumination slit (width=20 μm) by a rod lens (diameter=4 mm). A doublet lens (f=25 mm) was used as CL1, and a transmission grating (groove density=1379 lines/mm) as the Grating 1. A water-immersion microscope objective lens (magnification=30×; numerical aperture=0.9) was used as the OL. Reflected light from the tissue was focused by another doublet lens (f=25 mm) on the detection slit (width=5 μm). Light after the detection slit was collimated by another doublet lens (f=25 mm; CL2) and diffracted by the Grating 2 (groove density=1800 lines/mm). Diffracted light was focused on a color CMOS imaging sensor (1280×1024 pixels; pixel size=3.6 μm×3.6 μm) by another doublet lens (f=25 mm; Camera lens).

For example, FIG. 3B illustrates the exemplary image of a highly-reflective stratum corneum. FIG. 3C shows cell nuclei (arrows) delineated by bright cell boundaries in granular layer. FIG. 3D illustrates smaller cell nuclei (arrows) in spinous layer. FIG. 3E shows a dermal papialla (marked by asterisk) surrounded by basal cells (bright dots pointed by arrowheads).

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the imaging device/system/apparaus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure that includes additional relay optics 435. In this exemplary embodiment, the relay optics 435 can be used between the Grating 2 340 and the camera lens 320 to match the illumination area on the sensor 315 and the effective detection area of the sensor 315.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of the imaging device/system/apparaus according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, an additional source arrangement 510 can be included in the exemplary SECM module 350. The source 310 that can be included in the mobile device 505 may not provide enough power for the SECM imaging. A light emitting diode (LED) or a superluminescent diode (SLD) can be used as the additional source 510 in the SECM module 550. The additional source 510 can be powered by a small battery 507.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of the imaging device/system/apparaus according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure that includes a waveguide 610 between the tissue 355 and the exemplary SECM module 650 for an endoscopic application. In this exemplary embodiment, the waveguide 610 can be connected to the SECM module 650. A proximal end of the waveguide 610 can be located at a focal plane of the objective lens (OL). An exemplary illumination pattern can be delivered to a distal miniature objective lens (OL2) 620, which can focus the light or other electro-magnetic radiation on the tissue 335. The light or other electro-magnetic radiation from the tissue 355 can be collected by the miniature objective lens (OL2) 620, and delivered back to the SECM module 650. The waveguide 610 can be flexible, and thus use fiber bundles for such exemplary purpose. The waveguide 610 can be rigid by using relay lenses. This exemplary arrangement/system/apparatus can be used for endoscopic imaging applications.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of the imaging device/system/apparaus according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure that includes an additional waveguide to provide an exemplary wide-field image of the tissue 335, and to visualize a placement of an exemplary SECM waveguide relative to the tissue. In this exemplary embodiment, such further waveguide (wide-field waveguide) 730 can be used for video imaging, e.g., in addition to and/or instead of the SECM waveguide 725. A miniature imaging lens 735 can be used to image large area of the tissue 330, and for a placement of the miniature objective lens (OL2) 620 on or near the tissue 330. Exemplary image(s) from the wide-field waveguide 730 can be reimaged on the sensor 715 via and/or through a collimation lens (CL3) and the camera lens 720. At least one portion of a sensor imaging area can be used to provide wide-field image of the tissue 355 and/or a portion thereof.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of the imaging device/system/apparaus according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which is similar to the imaging device/system/apparaus of the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure that includes additional relay optics 435. In this imaging device/system/apparaus of the fifth exemplary embodiment, instead of the objective lens OL, an eye lens 810 of a human eye 830 can be used as the objective lens. It should be understood that instead of the human eye, an eye from any mammal or fish can be used. The eye lens 810 can focus the light (or other electromagnetic radiation) on the retina 820. This exemplary imaging device/system/apparaus can be used to diagnose diseases on human eye (or the eye of any mammal or fish).

The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. Indeed, the arrangements, systems and methods according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with and/or implement any OCT system, OFDI system, SD-OCT system or other imaging systems, and for example with those described in International Patent Application PCT/US2004/029148, filed Sep. 8, 2004 which published as International Patent Publication No. WO 2005/047813 on May 26, 2005, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/266,779, filed Nov. 2, 2005 which published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0093276 on May 4, 2006, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/501,276, filed Jul. 9, 2004 which published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0018201 on Jan. 27, 2005, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0122246, published on May 9, 2002, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements, and procedures which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and can be thus within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In addition, all publications and references referred to above can be incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. It should be understood that the exemplary procedures described herein can be stored on any computer accessible medium, including a hard drive, RAM, ROM, removable disks, CD-ROM, memory sticks, etc., and executed by a processing arrangement and/or computing arrangement which can be and/or include a hardware processors, microprocessor, mini, macro, mainframe, etc., including a plurality and/or combination thereof. In addition, certain terms used in the present disclosure, including the specification, drawings and claims thereof, can be used synonymously in certain instances, including, but not limited to, e.g., data and information. It should be understood that, while these words, and/or other words that can be synonymous to one another, can be used synonymously herein, that there can be instances when such words can be intended to not be used synonymously. Further, to the extent that the prior art knowledge has not been explicitly incorporated by reference herein above, it can be explicitly being incorporated herein in its entirety. All publications referenced above can be incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for facilitating a microscopic imaging of at least one anatomical structure, comprising: a spectrally-encoded confocal microscopy (SECM) system configured to provide at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to the at least one anatomical structure; and a mobile device communicating with the SECM system, and including a sensor arrangement that is configured to receive at least one second electro-magnetic radiation that is based on the at least one first electro-magentic radiation from at least one section of the SECM system, the mobile device further including a computer arrangement which is configured to display at least one portion of the at least one anatomical structure as a microscopic image based on the at least one second radiation received by the sensor arrangement, wherein the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation is originated from a radiation source residing in the mobile device.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the microscopic image is a confocal image of the at least one portion.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the SECM system includes an optical arrangement which facilitates a motionless scan of the at least one anatomical structure via the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the SECM system includes a relay optical arrangement which facilitates a transmission of the at least one second radiation to the sensor arrangement.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the SECM system includes an internal energy storage arrangement.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a waveguide arrangement provided between the SECM system and the at least one anatomical structure.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the waveguide arrangement is configured to (i) forward the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to the at least one anatomical structure, and (ii) receive the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation from the at least one anatomical structure.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising first and second waveguide arrangements provided between the SECM system and the at least one anatomical structure.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first waveguide arrangement is configured to forward the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to the at least one anatomical structure, and the second waveguide arrangement is configured to receive the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation from the at least one anatomical structure.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the SECM system comprises an optical configuration that focuses the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation toward the at least one anatomical structure.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the SECM system comprises an optical configuration that focuses the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation directly unto the at least one anatomical structure.
 12. A method for facilitating a microscopic imaging of at least one anatomical structure, comprising: with a spectrally-encoded confocal microscopy (SECM) system, providing at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to the at least one anatomical structure; with a sensor arrangement of a mobile device, receiving at least one second electro-magnetic radiation that is based on the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation from at least one section of the SECM system; and with a computer arrangement of the mobile device, displaying at least one portion of the at least one anatomical structure as a microscopic image based on the at least one second radiation received by the sensor arrangement, wherein the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation is originated from a radiation source residing in the mobile device.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the microscopic image is a confocal image of the at least one portion.
 14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising, with an optical arrangement of the SECM system, facilitating a motionless scan of the at least one anatomical structure via the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation.
 15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising, with a relay optical arrangement of the SECM system, facilitating a transmission of the at least one second radiation to the sensor arrangement.
 16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the SECM system includes an internal energy storage arrangement.
 17. The method according to claim 12, wherein a waveguide arrangement is provided between the SECM system and the at least one anatomical structure.
 18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising, with the waveguide arrangement: forwarding the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to the at least one anatomical structure; and receiving the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation from the at least one anatomical structure.
 19. The method according to claim 12, wherein first and second waveguide arrangements are provided between the SECM system and the at least one anatomical structure.
 20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: with the first waveguide arrangement, forwarding the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to the at least one anatomical structure; and with the second waveguide arrangement, receiving the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation from the at least one anatomical structure.
 21. The method according to claim 12, wherein the providing procedure is performed using an optical configuration of the SECM system by focusing the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation toward the at least one anatomical structure.
 22. The method according to claim 12, wherein the providing procedure is performed using an optical configuration of the SECM system by focusing the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation directly unto the at least one anatomical structure. 